Mystery Wuhan Virus Can Spread Between Humans; All Travellers from China to Go Though Screening

Last Updated on 2020-01-22 , 12:59 pm

Lest you’re unaware, there has been a rise in cases of the coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan.

A third person has passed away and 136 new cases have cropped up over the weekend in Wuhan.

Yes, the situation is dire, so it’s no surprise that the Singapore authorities are scrambling to take precautionary measures.

After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?

Temperature Screening Now Compulsory To All Travellers Coming From China

Temperature screening at Changi Airport will be made compulsory for all travellers who are arriving from China.

This was reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on 20 January after news travelled around that the virus that began in Wuhan had also spread to other Chinese cities.

To add on to that, those who have pneumonia and have travelled to Wuhan within 14 days before the onset of symptoms will be isolated in a hospital.

Other Precautionary Measures

These additional measures come on top of other precautionary measures that were already put in place by MOH since the start of this month.

For instance, temperature screening has already been put into place starting 3 January for inbound travellers arriving on flights from Wuhan.

Further, those suspected to be down with pneumonia have been brought to hospitals for further checks.

Posters have been put up at Changi Airport to educate travellers regarding the precautionary measures to take note of while they are travelling to and from Wuhan.

The Wuhan Virus Can Be Transferred Between Humans

Lest you’re unaware, the Wuhan virus is transmittable between humans.

On 16 Jan 2020, things took a turn when Japan informed WHO that a person has been tested positive for 2019-nCoV.

The person hadn’t even visited the market, but merely had close contact with an affected person in Wuhan.

And on 20 Jan 2020, China’s National Health Commission confirmed that the coronavirus can be transmitted between humans.

7 People With Pneumonia Warded And Tested in Singapore

Thus far, a total of seven people from Wuhan who were found to have pneumonia have been warded and tested.

Six people out of the seven have been tested negative for coronavirus and are not linked to the cluster in Wuhan, according to MOH.

The latest case as of 10am on 20 January is a 44-year-old Singapore resident with pneumonia and travel history to Wuhan.

“She has been admitted for further assessment and treatment, and isolated as a precautionary measure. Her condition is stable,” said MOH.

However, the woman did not visit the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan that is linked to the pneumonia cluster.

“To date, there have been no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus reported in Singapore. However, given that Singapore is a travel hub, we expect to see more suspect cases, and cannot rule out the possibility of imported cases,” said MOH.

In other words, Singapore is just taking a lot of precautions to ensure that the dreaded Pneumonia from Wuhan does not reach our shores.

If you’re interested to know more, do check out our past pneumonia x Wuhan related articles here.